Detective denies political push

By Ainsley PaveyApril 24 2002

A detective yesterday denied being pressured by Workplace Minister Tony Abbott or police superiors to investigate electoral fraud charges against One Nation co-founders Pauline Hanson and David Ettridge.

Detective Sergeant Graham Newton told Brisbane Magistrates Court that he was aware of rumours that major documents turned up in Mr Abbott's office but were never investigated.

The detective, who led a raid of One Nation's Sydney headquarters during the 21-month investigation, said he was also aware Mr Abbott had called on Queensland Electoral Commissioner Des O'Shea to investigate One Nation's structure.

He said the points raised in Mr Abbott's letter to the electoral commission became significant in the fraud investigation.

When asked by Magistrate Michael Halliday whether he was under pressure to investigate, Detective Sergeant Newton replied: "None whatsoever."");document.write("

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Former One Nation leader Ms Hanson and Mr Ettridge are accused of dishonesty connected with the registration of the party in 1997.

Mr Ettridge has pleaded not guilty to fraudulently registering One Nation, while Ms Hanson has pleaded not guilty to inducement and dishonestly obtaining $498,637 in electoral funding, which she has paid back.

In the letter, Mr Abbott suggested supporters used in the party's registration application in Queensland were not members of One Nation, and insisted the application process used to sign up the supporters was in breach of One Nation's constitution.

Detective Sergeant Newton said he was aware of suggestions Mr Abbott had bankrolled a Queensland Supreme Court legal action that led to One Nation's demise, but said he had never investigated it.

"People were tricked into believing they were members of the party when they were becoming members of the supporters' movement," he said.

Detective Sergeant Newton said One Nation figure David Oldfield was initially a suspect, but there was not enough evidence against him. He said Mr Oldfield, an independent MP in the New South Wales upper house, was not involved in the electoral fraud.